The Editorial Board believes the mayhem of the parking lot may be prevented by practicing proper driving etiquette and demonstrating patience with other drivers. Below are two experiences: one of reality and one of possibility.

Reality of 3:15 p.m.

As the bell rings at the end of the day, students rush down the hallways and leave through the door closest to their car in the parking lot. They are immediately greeted by obnoxious honking, distracted drivers, speeding cars and distasteful hand gestures.

When students begin pulling out of their parking spots, some drivers take notice and instantly align their vehicles an uncomfortably close distance from preceding cars’ bumpers. Students find themselves in games of “chicken” against each other, putting others in danger.

While drivers wait in line to exit, another student flies past in a newly created parallel line, bypassing drivers in the proper queue. Students blare their horns, but the line-skipping driver actively avoids eye contact and speeds off.

Students finally get out of the lot after nearly 15 minutes of turmoil and breathe a sigh of relief for surviving the most dreaded part of their day.

What 3:15 p.m. could be

Chatting with friends as the final bell rings, students place their books in their backpacks and walk into the hallway. Once outside, they inhale the fresh air and observe other students calmly walking toward their cars. The lot welcomes students with the formation of an organized flow of traffic. 

Students hop into their cars and turn on their favorite playlists. They pull out of their spots, and a driver in the row stops, waving to let the car in. Many students have commitments after school, so staying calm is a way to show respect to other drivers.

At the lot’s exit, there is no irritating honking or aggressive drivers cutting the line. Students attentively observe their surroundings and are not distracted by their phones. Drivers maintain low speeds and patiently wait their turn to get out of the lot. 

After leaving, students breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the lot will be just as safe tomorrow.